Recycled Stuff You’d Actually Want To Buy

May 28, 2013

‘Fresh Morning’Recycled Paper Dangle Earrings

I’ve been wanting for a while to do a post about recycled things that are attractive. So many recycled products are not very pretty and, although we may want to buy them to support companies or artists who use recycled products we don’t buy them because we don’t actually like them.

So, here are some products made with recycled materials that, at least in the eye of this beholder, are esthetically pleasing.

RELIQUE

You can find Relique’s line of products using recycled materials here.

Novica is an organization that sells products made by artists in developing countries so not only are you supporting them you are also helping to save the planet. How much more virtuous could you get??

I particularly like two products made from iron and recycled glass by Dan Quaynor, an artisan from Ghana. One is a coat hanger and the other is a chandelier. Click on the links to read more about the artist and see his other products.

Iron and recycled glass coat rack, ‘Bloom in Blue’

Recycled glass chandelier, ‘A Fine Light’

If you are into jewelry – like I am – there is a pair if earrings made out of recycled paper that are prettier than you would ever think paper could be. Go back to the top of this post and take another look at the image at the very beginning. Yup, those are the earrings. They are made by Akwele Suma, also from Ghana. She made this necklace, which I love, as well as other items you can check out on the web site.

This beautiful piece is not made from recycled materials but from reclaimed materials. It is a silver and beach glass choker made by Warren and Robin Designs. According to the artists the sea glass came from “World War II sailors drinking Cokes while getting ready for the battle of Guadalcanal.”

The coaster are made from recycled stained glass. All pieces have been sealed to protect against scratches and stains and have felt bottoms to protect furniture.

Picasso Inspired Stained Glass Coasters

At the Stone Arrow store I saw these beautiful earrings made from recycled glass. The fern frond image is sandblasted onto a piece of tumbled glass from a green wine bottle.

The artist says “if you buy 20 pairs of Stone Arrow Eco-Earrings for every bottle of wine you drink you will be carbon-wino neutral!”

Recycled Glass Earrings

From the BootsNGus store I found this wonderfully delightful chandelier made out of Mason Jars.

Waterfall Splash Mason Jar Chandelier

At Etsy’s Lampada store you can find lighting fixtures like this one made from recycled coffee filters. The natural stains of the coffee filters and a touch of yellow color are what make this lamp so beautiful.

Rustic Hanging Light Drum Shade

GoGoGarden makes this bird feeder from pieces that store owner picks up at garage sales and thrift stores.

Hanging Teacup Birdfeeder-Welcome Spring

Heather Montgomery paints the rings of trees that have been felled because of environmental reasons, clearing for construction and power lines or because they were diseased or about to die from other natural causes.